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Federal Government Provides $1,247,950 to Stimulate Research in Peat
Bog Management
Quebec
City, Quebec, November 28, 2003 – Hélène
Scherrer, M.P. for Louis-Hébert, today inaugurated, on behalf of
Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural
Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), a new industrial research
chair at Université Laval aimed at restoring bogs after peat extraction.
The new chair will receive $ 1,247,950 over five years from NSERC. Partners
will provide a further $1,600,000 in cash and in-kind contributions.
“As the world’s leading producer of peat moss, Canada recognizes
the importance of peat bog restoration,” Ms. Scherrer said. “The
chair’s research program addresses an issue with both environmental
and social implications, that is, the need to protect our natural resources
and ensure the integrated and sound management of our environment for
future generations.”
“Following a disturbance, natural plant recolonization of peat
bogs is extremely slow and, if it occurs at all, the species that become
established are often birch or shrubs,” explained Line Rochefort,
the first holder of the new chair. “In most cases, we lose the
wetland. We will now be in a position to develop rehabilitation techniques
that allow us to reintroduce the cover of peat moss (the green carpet
of the understorey) or to restore value through the cultivation of trees
or northern berries.”
A group of 22 people, including nine master’s and doctoral students
and one postdoctoral researcher, forms the core of the team.
NSERC President Tom Brzustowski noted that Ms. Rochefort expertise
in this field is well known. “A world-renowned expert in peat
bog restoration, Ms. Rochefort is the ideal person to develop integrated
sustainable peat bog management in Canada,” Mr. Brzustowski said.
“This multidisciplinary research project will allow her to continue
research that has been supported by NSERC for 10 years. Working with
the industrial partners will be a great experience for the students
involved in the project.”
NSERC’s partners in this initiative are SunGro Horticulture Inc.,
Premier Horticulture, the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association, Fafard
Peat Moss Co., Berger Peat Moss, Lameque Quality Group, Acadian Peat
Moss (1979) Ltd., ABS Greenworld Ltd., Modugno-Hortibec, Lambert Peat
Moss Inc., Fafard et Frères, Nirom Peat Moss Inc. and the Government
of New Brunswick.
This industrial research chair is one of many funded by NSERC through
its Research Partnerships Programs, which support high-level research
with social or industrial value and the transfer of the results to Canadian
organizations. The funding of the chairs is determined by a rigorous
peer review process in which the merits of research proposals are carefully
assessed.
NSERC is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation.
The Council supports both basic university research through research
grants, and project research through partnerships among universities,
governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training
of highly qualified people.
For further information, contact:
Martine Perreault
Media Relations and Public Affairs Officer
Communications
NSERC
Tel.: (613) 995-8824
Cell: (613) 371-0176
E-mail: martine.perreault@nserc.ca
Line Rochefort
Department of Phytology
Université Laval
Tel.: (418) 656-2131, ext. 2586
E-mail: line.rochefort@plg.ulaval.ca
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